SHAK IT OFF!

Acts 28:1-6 TLB

We soon learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us, building a bonfire on the beach to welcome and warm us in the rain and cold. [3] As Paul gathered an armful of sticks to lay on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, fastened itself onto his hand! [4] The people of the island saw it hanging there and said to each other, "A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live!" [5] But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. [6] The people waited for him to begin swelling or suddenly fall dead; but when they had waited a long time and no harm came to him, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

 

Apostle Paul and 275 others were sailing across the Mediterranean Sea—Paul on his way to stand trial before Caesar in Rome—when they encountered a terrible storm that broke up their ship. Just as God promised Paul, everyone made it safely to the shore of an unknown island.

Paul didn’t complain about exhaustion, the cold, or the rain. Instead, he made himself useful by gathering wood to keep the fire going for everyone’s benefit. As he was adding sticks to the fire, a venomous snake bit his hand and clung to it. Paul simply shook the snake off into the fire.

The local people believed that if someone was guilty, a snake bite was a sign of judgment and death. They assumed Paul must have been a criminal. Many of us can relate—we can’t stand snakes, and the thought of one clinging to us is terrifying!

But when life or people attack us—when we face unexpected challenges or betrayal—we don’t have to retaliate. We just need to shake it off! Romans 12:17 teaches us not to repay evil for evil.

The viper’s venom was deadly, but so are many of the issues and people we encounter in life. Some people have a “snake mentality”—they hide their true intentions and strike when least expected, sometimes even disguising themselves behind roles in church or positions of trust.

We live in a world full of turbulence, trials, and trouble. The devil’s goal is to steal, kill, and destroy according to John 10:10. That’s why Satan attacks God’s people, even when they’re right in the centre of God’s will—just like Paul. Imagine if Paul hadn’t shaken off the viper! Bad things can happen even when we’re following God, because the enemy never stops trying to derail us.

Shake it off! Whatever you’re facing is not meant to destroy you, no matter how dangerous it seems. Christ has given us authority to trample on snakes and scorpions (Luke 10:19), and nothing should be able to harm us if we walk in that authority, just as Paul did. There are three ways to shake it off. Which are: Symbolic act, this is letting go of rejection and moving on. Spiritual act is refusing to carry bitterness or offense. Practical act means choosing peace over people’s opinions.

The viper’s bite was meant to take Paul out of God’s plan, but he shook it off and continued his mission. We must also learn to overlook offenses, ignore negative words, and move past betrayal or criticism. Through God’s power, we can shake off every challenge that comes our way.

Don’t let anything find a place to attach itself to your life and hold you back. Shake it off! 

Whatever trouble or pain from your past, shake it off! God has a great future for you, and your future has no room for old snakebites or venom. Shake it off!

Life can cause things to attach to us that may not be beneficial, shake it off! Carrying offense weighs you down, shake it off. Rejection is not a reflection of your worth—it’s often a redirection, shake it off as stated in Matthew 10:14. God’s purpose for you is not tied to people’s approval.

Be encouraged and shake off whatever is attached to you. You are not defined by rejection—you are defined by God’s calling. Shake off the dust, the doubt, the fear, and the failure. Keep walking in purpose. God has more for you ahead.

Prayerfully ask God for strength to release the hurt and forgive and let go of the offense, even if they don’t apologize. Then, refocus on your assignment, not your attackers.

PRAYER: Father, grant me the courage to use my God-given power and authority over the enemy, no matter how he attacks. Help me to always shake him off, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/womenoflight/episodes/SHAKE-IT-OFF-e346h04

Follow the FRESH MANNA CHANNEL on Telegram: https://t.me/freshmdevo

Follow the FRESH MANNA CHANNEL on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va8y5tqAjPXP6kZdoX1j

EMAIL: TEEWOMENOFLIGHT@OUTLOOK.COM

WOULD YOU CONSIDER PARTNERING WITH US TO REACH MORE PEOPLE? BY SHARING THIS MESSAGE ON YOUR PLATFORMS AND CONTACTS OR SOWING A SEED TO HELP US KEEP DOING THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR GENEROUSITY AND SUPPORT.

SHALOM

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START AGAIN!

Job 17:10-11 GW   "But now, all of you, come and try again! I won’t find one wise man among you.  My days are passing by. My plans are broken. My dreams are shattered."[10]   Life may require us to start again—and it’s never too late to start over. One of life’s certainties is that everyone will experience failure at something at some point. Life is never an unbroken series of victories. Setbacks, losses, and sometimes defeat will happen and may overwhelm us. Defeat may be thrust upon us by circumstance or by others, or we may defeat ourselves by our own thoughts and actions. When this happens, some give up, some persist until they succeed, and others are willing to start over again. Luke 7:11-15 gives the account of the widow of Nain, on her way to bury her only son, crying, distraught after losing another close family member. On the way, Jesus saw her, had compassion, and acted.  The woman must have thought, "Is He kidding? Does He know what I've been t...
Read more

DIVINE VISION!

Jeremiah 1:1-11 NASB The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, [2] to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. [3] It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the exile of Jerusalem in the fifth month. [4] Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, [5] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” [6] Then I said, “Oh, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I am a youth.” [7] But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. [8] “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to save you,” declares the Lord. [9] Then the Lord stretch...
Read more

RESISTANCE FROM STEPPING INTO PURPOSE!

John 16:33 AMPC I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]   Stepping into your God-given purpose is one of the most powerful decisions you will ever make. But it is also one of the most resisted. The Bible makes it clear that whenever God calls a person, opposition rises—externally, internally, and spiritually. Jesus Himself tells us that trials will come, but His victory gives us courage and peace. Every believer must understand this: resistance is not a sign that you’re in the wrong place; it is often proof that you’re stepping into the right one. Everyone called by God faces resistance! Throughout Scripture, the moment people stepped into divine purpose, they faced pushback. ...
Read more